Wisconsin Assembly passes bill targeting 'catfishing'

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The Wisconsin Assembly has unanimously passed a bill that would make impersonating someone on social media a crime.

The measure targets "catfishing," when someone impersonates another person online with the intent of defrauding or harassing them.

The bill passed Tuesday would make the crime a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 in fines and 90 days in jail. It's intended to update current law which deals only with email fraud.

Bill co-sponsor Rep. Bob Kulp says he introduced the measure after a friend of his was targeted by someone trying to defraud him out of money. He says it's similar to laws in place in other states, including California, Texas and Pennsylvania.